Cutting machine



J. B. HADAWAY.

CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG 6, I919.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

I I MAE/V7179;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHIT B. HADAXVAY, OF SWAMPSGOT'T, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY" CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF N EW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

'corrnve MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

Application filed August 6, 1919. Serial No. 315,659.

To all whom it may concern.

Be itknown that I, JOHN B. HADAWAY, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Swampscott, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Cutting Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

' This invention relates to machines for cutting sheet material.

The invention is herein illustrated in its application to machines of the type in which provision is made for relative movement of the work operating parts to permit of in spection and manipulation of the work and in which a movaole work operating member may be properly positioned and have its op eration indicated through a single manually controllable means. Of machines of this class one known to the trade as the click iug machine is in extensive use, and is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 921,503. granted to Arthur Bates, May 11, 1909.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine embodying many of the principles of construction and operation of'the machine above referred to which will have especial utility for particular purposes such, for example, as the cutting of heel lifts or the sections of heel lifts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved machine for cutting sheet 1 vaterial. such. as scrap material, into heel lifts or sections of heel lifts, which can be operated with speed and certainty and in such manner that the material may be cut to the best advantage.

To the furtherance of these and other objects, the invention is shown embodied in a machine in which a plurality of cuttersor dies are positioned on a support with their cutting edges facing upwardly and a. presser member or cutting block is provided for cooperation selectively with the dies to force the material into the dies whereby blanks are cut therefrom, Preferably a considerable number of dies of different sizes and shapes are employed so as to make most economical use of scrap material which comes in pieces varying greatly in size and shape.

It is desirable, moreover that the cutting block be readily movable into position over any selected die and so located with respect to its support that the latter will be spaced from the dies in such manner as not to interfere with. the access of light and the proper manipulation of the work. Hence the cutting block is preferably mounted at the end of a relatively long arm which permits the block to be moved in any direction into co-opcrative relation with the selected die.

Since etiiciency in cutting operations on sheet material requires that the plane of the cutting edge of the die be parallel with the co-operating surface of the cutting block, the construction is preferably such as to provide for this relationship of the die and block when the latter is located over the die. To this end the support for the dies is provided with a concave spherical surface whose center is the pivot point of the supporting arm of the cutting block, and on this surface the dies are distributed and secured in their slightly inclined positions, the construction being such that theplane of the cutting edge of each die is parallel to the surface of the cutting block when located t-hereabove.

The invention contemplates also the provision of improved means associated with the cutting block for manually controlling the same in positioningit above the selected die and for controlling the power means by which the block is moved from and toward the die. Preferably the said means is mounted on the support for the cutting block to move with the support as the latter swings in all directions from its point of suspension. connections being provided between said means and the starting mechanism which controls the clutch on the main shaft. By this arrangement a single manually operable member may be utilized to position the cut ting block as desired and to trip the machine as soon as the desired position has been attained.

Further features of importance reside in an organization comprising a vertically re ciprocable post as part of the power means for moving the cutting block toward and from a cutting member, and connections between sald post and the cutting block by which the latter is suspended for universal movement over a die supporting block.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and will be pointed out in a the claims.

In the illustrative machine, the frame a is provided with bearings 6 and S for a post 10 mounted for vertical reciprocation in the bearings, the said post being actuated by power means comprising a shaft 11, the construction being preferably like that disclosed in the patent granted to Arthur Bates. As in said patent, the clutch of the main shaft of the machine is of the non-repeating, onerevolution type of clutch and is controlled through connections with a lever 12 pivoted at 1 1 on the frame of the machine and hav ing interlocking portions 16 which surround the post. and provide a forwardly extending portion 18, the lever 12 being adapted to be operated at the-will of the operator to control said clutch, said lever being normally held in .its position of rest by the spring 20. For a more extended description of the start ing mechanism including the lever 12, 18, reference should be. had to the said. patent to Bates.

Carried by the post 10 and fixedly secured thereto is a member 22 having a portion 24 extending upwardly and forwardly so that itsextreme end portion 26 overhangs asup porting table, 28. In order to prevent rotation or lateral movement of the member 22 and its supporting post 10, there is provided a holding means in the form of a link 30 pivotally attached at one end to the upper bearing 32 of the member 22 and at its other end pivoted to an extension 34: from the frame of the machine, it being clear that one of the bolts 36, which pivot the link 30, is movable in a slot to permit of the reciprocations of the post 10 and the member carried thereby. Pivoted in the end portion 26 of the member 22 by a ball and socket joint 38 is a rod 40 carrying at its lower end a presser member or cutting block 42, the latter having preferably a wooden portion- 14; to serve as a cutting block in co-operation with the cutting edges of the cutters 45 arranged in the manner hereinafter described. V

Mounted on the support or supporting table 28 is a block or. plate 46 having its upper surface concav'ed spherically, that is, the surfaceofthe block represents an areal portion of the inner surface of a sphere whose center liesin the pivotal point of therod 4:0. Distributed on the supporting surface of the plate 46 is a plurality of cutters or dies arranged preferably in a circle adjacent the periphery of the plate, the arrangement being such that the cutting block 42 can be positioned over any one of the x cutters or dies and have the cutting surface of the block substantially parallel with the be readil fitted together to produce pieced lifts of various sizes. Below each die there is a passageway 47 through the block 4:6 leading to a receptacle as to receive the blanks cut'by the die, the purpose being to collect the blanks of various shapes in different receptacles so that the blanks may be placed in assorted stacks or piles upon the table of a heel building machine. YVhile in the illustrated machine the dies 15 are of various shapes and sizes and useful for the cutting of sections of heel lifts, it is clear that dies of various sizes for cutting whole heel lifts may be substituted for those shown, the

novelty in this part of the machine residing I clearly in the arrangement of the dies and. in the structure of the supporting block a6.

Conveniently for positioning the cutting block over the selected die, a handle member 50 is provided, preferably slidably mounted on tbe'supporting rod lO in order that it may serve also'to control the power means which causes vertical reciprocations of the post 10 and therefore also of the cutting block 12. In order to controlthe starting lever 12 of the machine by means of the handle 50 connections are provided, between said handle and lever comprising a link 52 pivoted at 51 to the handle and at its other end secured by a ball and socket joint 56 to a member 58 slidably supported in the portion 2 1 of the member 22, a spring 60 \being arranged around the upper portion of the member 58 normally .to hold it in its upper position of rest, but yieldable to permit the handle to be moved. downwardly on its support; Pivoted to the member 58 at 62 is a second link G l having its lower end pivoted at 66 to the extension 18 of the lever 12.

It is thought that the operation of the machine will be readily understood from the preceding description. However, the manner of using the machine may be briefly outlined as follows: Upon selecting a piece of stock, the operator decides which of the many dies provided will. cut the stock most economically to provide one or more heel lift sections or pieces. The piece of stock is then placed on the selected die and the out tin block is moved over the die and into pos1tion to force the stock upon the cutting edge of the die. As soon as the cutting block is so located, downward pressure upon thehandle 50 causes a tripping of the starting lever and a consequent operation of the machinewith theresult that the stock is forced into the die to form a blank or section of a lift. These operations are repeated with pieces of stock or of scrap which are placed over the dies in accordance with the best judgment of the operator. As blanks are cut into the dies, those preceding are forced downwardly through the passageways in the block 46 until they drop into the receptacles provided for the purpose. It will be seen that a simple and efficient mechanism has been provided for utilizing pieces of scrap leather in the manufacture of pieced lifts which otherwise would be wasted. By means of the special arrangement of the dies, it is possible to mount the cutting block so that the latter may be brought into proper cooperative arrangement with any selected die to effect at a single actuation of the starting mechanism a completely effective cutting operation on the stock, the result being due very largely to the fact that the cutting surface of the cutting block is substantially parallel with the plane of the cutting edge of the selected die.

All patentable subject-matter common to this application and to the co-pending application of Joseph H. Pope, Serial No. 259,044, filed Oct. 21, 1918, is properly claimable, and is claimed, in the latter application.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a support provided with a concave spherical surface, a plurality of dies distributed on said surface, and a presser member so mounted as to be brought into co-operative relation with any one of said dies.

2. In a machine of the class described, a support having a concave, spherical surface, a plurality of dies arranged around the peripheral portion of said surface, a cutting block suspended in such manner that it may be caused to cooperate selectively with any one of said dies with the cutting surface of the block during the cutting operation practically in pa allelism with the plane of the cutting edge of the die. 4 I

3. In a machine of the class described, a support provided with a concave, spherical surface. a plurality of dies arranged substantially in a circle on said surface, a cutting block suspended at the center of said spherical surface and arranged to be brought selectively into co-operation with any one of said dies.

f. In a machine of the class described, a support provided with a concave, spherical surface, a plurality of dies arranged upon the surface, said support having passageways leading from the dies entirely through the support, receptacles located at the lower ends of said passageways to receive the blanks cut by said dies, and a cutting block arranged to be brought selectively-into c0- operative relation with the dies.

5. In a machine of the class described, a

support, a plurality of dies arranged upon the support, a cutting block, a support for the cutting block mounted for swinging movement in all directions, and means for causing pressure applying operations of the cutting block.

6. In a machine of the class described, a support, dies mounted upon the support, a cutting block, a support for the cutting block comprising a rod mounted for swinging movement in all directions about its pivotal center, power means for causing pressure applying movements of the cutting block, and means mounted on the rod for controlling the swinging movement of the cutting block and for controlling said power means.

7. In a machine of the class described, a support, a plurality of dies resting on the support and having their cutting edges facing upwardly, a cutting block arranged for co-operation with said dies, a support for the cutting block pivoted to swing in all directions about its pivotal point, power means for causing the cutting block to co-operate with the selected die in a cutting operation, and means mounted on the support for the cutting block for controlling the position of the cutting block and for controlling said power means.

8. In'a. machine of the class described, a support having a concave, spherical surf face, a plurality of dies mounted on said surface, their cutting edges facing upwardly, a cutting block arranged for co-operation with any one of said dies, a post mounted for vertical reciprocation to cause pressure applying operation of the cutting block in a cutting operation, a support for the cutting block pivotally suspended so as to be normally in parallel relation with said post and capable of swinging in all directions to be positioned over any one of said dies, power means for causing vertical reciprocations of said post, and means mounted on the support for the cutting block for determining the position of the cutting block and for controlling said power means.

9. In a machine of the class described, a cutter, a co-operating cutter block, power means for causing relative movement of the cutter block and cutter, starting mechanism comprising a lever for controlling said power means, a support for the cutter block comprising a rod pivoted for universal movement, and means movable on the rod for op erating said lever.

10. In a machine of the class described, a cutter, a cutter block for co-operating with said cutter, power means comprising a vertically reciprocable post for causing relative movement between the cutter and cutter block, a rod mounted on the post for universal. movement to serve as a support for the cutter block, starting mechanism for concable post, a member mounted on said post trolling said power means, and means movable on the rod for causing actuation of said starting mechanism. v

11. In a machine of the class described, a cutter member, a cutter block member for co-operation with the cutter member, power means for causing relative movement of the cutter and cutter block members, and a rod for. pivotally supporting one of said menicutters, and connections between said manuallycontrollable member and said starting mechanism so arranged that manipulation of said manually controllable member causesactuation of the starting mechanism when the cutting block is inco-operative relation with any one of said cutters.

. 13. In a machine of the class described, a support, cutters mounted on the support, a cutter block. for cooperation with any one of said cutters, power means for operating said cutter block comprising a vertically reciproand' having an upwardly extending projection, and means pivoted to said projection for supporting the cutter block in such manner that the latter may be moved into cooperative relation with any one of said out ters.

14. In a machine of the class described, a cutter, a cutter block, power means tor causing relative reciprocation ot said cutter and cutter block to-eliect cutting operations, and

a support on which the cutter block is mounted for universal movement, so that it may be moved in any desired direct-ion into, and out of operative relation to the cutter.

15. In a machine of the class described, a support, cutters mounted on said support, a cutter block for cooperation selectively with said cutters, power means for causing operation of the cutter block comprising avertical-1y reciprocable post, means for suspending the cutter block on said'post for universal movement over the cutter support, and

means for controlling the operation of said power means.

16. In a machine of the class described, a support, cuttersdistributed on the support, a cutter block mounted so as to be brought into co-operative relation with any one of the cutters, av support for said cutter block, mounted to swing the latter along angul'arly related paths into cooperative relation with any one of the distributed cutters, power means for operating the cutter block, starting mechanism for controlling saidpower means, and means mounted on the support for the cutter block and movably connected with the starting mechanism and capable of actuating the latter when the cutter block is located over any one of'said cutters/ 17. In a machine of the class described, a support, a cutter mounted on said support, a cutter block for co-operation with said cutter, power means comprising a vertically reciprocable post for operating said cutter block, a rod connected to said post for swinging movement in all directions and arranged to support said cutter block, starting inechanism for controlling said power means. and

a manually operable member slidable on said rod for actuating said starting mechanism.

18. In a machine of the class described, a support provided with aconcave spherical surface, a cutter, and a presser member so mounted as to be broughtinto co-operative relation with the cutter wherever the latter may be located on said surface.

19. In a machine of the class described, a

support provided with a concave spherical surface, a cutter, a presser member so mounted as to be brought into cooperative. relation with the cutter wherever the latter may be located on said surface, power means for causing the presser member to reciprocate in pressure applying operations, and a member movable with the presser member for con trolling said power means.

20. In a machine ofthe class described, a support, a cutter, a cutter block for co operation with the cutter, a vertically reciprocable post, a rod suspended normally in parallelism with the post for supporting the cutter block, a connecting Vmember extending laterally from the, post and provided with a bearing for the upper end of said rod, and a shaft for causing reciprocation of the post, the arrangement being such that vertical reciprocation of the postcauses a like movement in the cutter block, the latter being movable about said bearing as a centerto co-operate with the cutter wherever the latter may be located on the support.

21. In a machine of the class described, a

support, a plurality of cutters mounted on the support, and a presser member suspend ed at a point centrally over the support and aranged for cooperation. selectively with any one of the cutters.

In testimony whereof I'have signed my name to this specification.

' J OHN B. HADAIVAY.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,409,169, granted March 14, 1922, upon the application of John B. Hadaway, of SWampscott, Massachusetts, for an improvement in Cutting Machines, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 21, for the Word indicated read initiated; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of September, A. D., 1922.

[SEAL] WM. A. KINNAN,

Acting 0 ommissioneo- 0 Patents. 

